The web 2.0 tool that I am sharing is Storybird. Storybird is a simple way for students and adults to write stories. Storybird provides the artwork and templates. Users can then select artwork and begin writing words to create a story. You do not need an account to use Storybird, but by creating a free account, you can save your work and create reading lists.
Here is a brief tutorial on how to create your own Storybird:
To start a Storybird, go to storybird.com and click the "Create" button.
Choose a piece of artwork or a theme for your story and click "Start a Storybird"
Storybird will now open a new story page.
You will see a book page in the center and art work on both sides of the book page.
You can drag the artwork that you like onto the page and select the location (left, right, top, bottom).
A text box will appear around your picture for you to begin typing your story.
After you have completed a page, look for the button "Add a page."
Continue adding pages and text until you have completed your story.
Be sure to save your work often!
You can view your story in full screen by clicking on the button directly above your storybook.
My Personal Experience with Storybird:
Here is an example of a Storybird that I created to illustrate what it means to apologize.
I chose to use this website for our class wiki, since it is one that my students were introduced to in our technology lab. The students loved using it so much, that many parents have said their students are accessing it at home! My students have also enjoyed using it during their workstation time in the classroom. Although I have often watched my students create their own stories, I have never written my own. This was a great learning experience for me to put my knowledge of Storybird into application!
During my students' first introduction to Storybird, they were presented with the task of creating a story that would demonstrate "Panther PRIDE." Panther PRIDE is our school wide character education program, where each letter of the acronym PRIDE stands for a character trait. I followed this model, by creating a story that demonstrates how to apologize and ask for forgiveness. This is an important lesson for students at a young age and what a fun way to model this, by sharing a story with them that their teacher made!
Benefits for Educators:
You can easily create accounts for your entire class, without individual e-mails
Student work can remain private, unless you choose to publish it for others to see
Teachers can create assignments to inspire and focus the direction of students
The teacher can quickly review student work, record comments, and assign grades for assignments
Stories can easily be embedded within blogs or wikis
An error message will appear if a student tries to include any graphic or inappropriate content into their story (it really works, unfortunately I had a student try it!)
Special Needs/Diverse Learners:
This is a great resource for students who are visual learners.
Students that are struggling writers would benefit from this site. Looking at colorful illustrations can oftentimes inspire a story all on it's own. The students are not stuck with a blank page of paper and a million possibilities of what to write about.
Students that have a special need that prevents them from writing or communication could use this program to sequence a story without words.
by: Rebecca Hamm
The web 2.0 tool that I am sharing is Storybird. Storybird is a simple way for students and adults to write stories. Storybird provides the artwork and templates. Users can then select artwork and begin writing words to create a story. You do not need an account to use Storybird, but by creating a free account, you can save your work and create reading lists.
Here is a brief tutorial on how to create your own Storybird:
My Personal Experience with Storybird:
Here is an example of a Storybird that I created to illustrate what it means to apologize.
Bolt's Hide 'n Sneak Adventure
I chose to use this website for our class wiki, since it is one that my students were introduced to in our technology lab. The students loved using it so much, that many parents have said their students are accessing it at home! My students have also enjoyed using it during their workstation time in the classroom. Although I have often watched my students create their own stories, I have never written my own. This was a great learning experience for me to put my knowledge of Storybird into application!
During my students' first introduction to Storybird, they were presented with the task of creating a story that would demonstrate "Panther PRIDE." Panther PRIDE is our school wide character education program, where each letter of the acronym PRIDE stands for a character trait. I followed this model, by creating a story that demonstrates how to apologize and ask for forgiveness. This is an important lesson for students at a young age and what a fun way to model this, by sharing a story with them that their teacher made!
Benefits for Educators:
Special Needs/Diverse Learners:
Tutorial: